I've always liked the Hada Labo lotions, the more basic the range the better. When Hada Labo tries to go a bit high end, this is what you get.
In order to review how effective this product is, lets us analyse what kojic acid can do. Kojic acid is a chemical by-product of fermented soy sauce and rice wine. In this case, fermented rice. It has skin benefits like lightening hyperpigmentation from sun damage, melasma, age spots. It works by blocking tyrosine from forming, which in turns prevents melasma.
So did it help? 🤷 I don't know, truly. My sun spot is still there on my cheek, it seems to have less whitening effects than the other products I've been using. After leaving in on my face too long without moisturizing, it felt uncomfortably tight. But it didn't worsen anything though so maybe it was just maintaining my skin tone. 🤔
The killer was the scent. Okay, it's fermented and anything fermented has a 🤢 scent but this was kind of overpowering. I have a high tolerance for non-fragranced products but this treatment essence was bordering on 👎. I was also hoping for a light watery toner but it came in an almost light serum texture.
In all, this was a fail for me.
